Chocolate is an integral part of Christmas. In many countries – including in Germany and Great Britain – prices are record high, and yet producers announce a “chocolate crisis”. Poor cocoa harvests in major growing regions due to extreme temperatures and heavy rains have contributed to a rise in chocolate prices.
See also: Poles' Christmas expenses. More on gifts and food, less on fuel and services
“We are not able to pass on all the costs of the increase in raw material prices to our customers. We are currently facing a chocolate crisis: the margin is lower than before, and at the same time we sell less – precisely because of the price,” admitted Andreas Ronken, head of Ritter Sport, in an interview with the German website t-online.de.
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This year, raw material prices have made sweets much more expensive. “For the last 20 years, the price of cocoa has remained around $2,000 per tonne. Now cocoa costs almost $5,500 per tonne. The price of cocoa has more than doubled. With 100 percent cocoa content, the plate should cost twice as much,” explains Ronken.
Record prices just before Christmas. The next wave of price increases is just coming
As “The Guardian” warns, the prices of some Christmas chocolate products in Great Britain have increased by up to 70%. compared to last year. According to analyzes of the consumer organization Which? quoted by the daily? shows that the largest price increase this year concerned Christmas chocolates. The biggest increase was seen in a box of Lindt Lindor pralines in Asda, the price of which increased by 72%.
See also: Poles plan holidays with a calculator in hand. Many declare “belt tightening”
Manufacturers – such as the head of Ritter Sport – say directly that consumers should be prepared for further increases in chocolate products. “We have no choice – if cocoa remains so expensive, we will either have to sell smaller bars at the same price or raise the price. For me, a price increase is a much fairer solution,” explains Ronken.
Holiday spending cuts – not least due to cocoa prices – may be taking place in many countries. Also in Poland, as illustrated by the study “Finance and Christmas”, commissioned by ANG Responsible Finance.
How much will Poles spend on Christmas?
As explained by Next.Gazeta.pl, as much as 70 percent Poles intend to limit their Christmas spending this year. Most often, we give up new decorations and clothes, hunt for promotions and prepare meals ourselves. However, as many as 31 percent respondents do not intend to introduce any cuts.
The report by the BLIX Group and UCE RESEARCH shows that despite the desire to save, food prices force higher expenses. Most often, we plan to spend PLN 100-200 per person, but more and more people exceed this budget. Only 8.5 percent I want to stay below PLN 100.
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The average budget for Christmas expenses will be PLN 1,000. PLN 787, which means an increase of 13%. compared to the previous year – these data come from the report “Christmas Wallet of Poles 2025” prepared by the Polish Bank Association (ZBP) and the Minds&Roses research company.
Even though this year's holidays are expected to be easier on household budgets, Poles expect higher expenses than last year. The most money will be spent on gifts (PLN 677) and groceries (PLN 671). On average, PLN 439 was allocated for travel and commuting.
